More People and Cars are Returning to Campus -- and Looking for a Place to Park

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Parking areas are filling up more each day.

Transit and Parking encourages employees and students at the university to be patient as campus gradually gets more crowded and final construction projects near completion.

Each August—as more and more people are on campus each day—parking availability becomes slightly more challenging.

"We see this happen every year," Transit and Parking Director Gary Smith said. "but within a couple of weeks after the first day of class, we also see things settle down in to a familiar and comfortable routine."

There are several reasons why traffic flow and parking has become a bit more congested lately.

• Several construction projects are still underway.
• The student move-in days have started and will be continue through Monday.
• Greek students are making plans for recruiting activities
• The final orientation sessions on campus are coming up.

In the meantime Transit and Parking has been making adjustments in parking availability at crucial areas on campus, and have also been providing important reminders to students about not parking in areas in which their parking permit does not grant them access.

Transit and Parking communications director David Wilson has been using social media to help inform newcomers to campus.

"We remind students," he said, "that if they have a parking permit that is red or green or orange, they must stay away from yellow or blue lots where parking is paid for by faculty and staff."

In addition, Transit and Parking wants faculty and staff to know that more yellow parking areas are being added in the northeast area of campus, in the form of Lots 78, 78A, and 78B.  You may go online to see the new campus parking map.

Transit and Parking is also looking at the demand for certain kinds of parking and is making adjustments accordingly. For example, several spaces north of Maple Street can be redesignated as yellow faculty and staff parking, based upon the number of permits that are being purchased.

In a few cases, there are parking areas that have parking for more than one kind of permit (blue reserved parking, yellow faculty and staff parking, and student red resident reserved parking).

When different parts of a lot are for different parking permits, it is important for motorists to give extra attention to the signs in the area.

Generally speaking, drivers should always remember that they should not park in any spot if they have a doubt about whether it is okay.

Those who have questions may see the Transit and Parking website at https://parking.uark.edu/index.php. They may also email Transit and Parking at parking@uark.edu or they may call 479 575-PARK (7275).